Boardwalk Hall and the New Jersey Devils today announced that the team’s top development squad, the American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, will play four games at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., 2010-11.
"Bringing these games to Atlantic City is a positive family friendly addition to the region and will provide southern New Jersey hockey fans a chance to see one of the state’s many great sporting teams – the New Jersey Devils Hockey team’s development squad. I am glad I could be a part of today’s announcement and hope to see more creative public-private ventures like this one developing in Atlantic City in the coming months," said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who also serves as Secretary of State responsible for travel and tourism.
The series kicks off Sun., Dec. 5, with the Albany Devils taking on the Adirondack Phantoms, followed by a game Sun., Dec. 12, pitting the Albany Devils against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
On Fri., Feb. 4, Albany faces off against the Hershey Bears, and the series concludes on Sun., Feb. 27, with the Devils vs. the Norfolk Admirals.
Sunday games are set for 4:00 p.m.; Friday night’s game time is 7:00 p.m.
"The New Jersey Devils are Jersey’s team and proudly wear ‘NJ’ on our chest,” said Devils chairman/managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek. “We are delighted to be playing at Boardwalk Hall as part of our effort to bring more entertainment to Atlantic City and expand our fan base at the same time.”
“We’re very excited to give our fans in southern New Jersey an opportunity to watch some of our top prospects,” added New Jersey Devils president/CEO/general manager Lou Lamoriello. “The players on our Albany club represent the next generation of Devils, and this is a chance to see them before they reach the NHL.”
As part of today’s announcement and in recognition of the team’s commitment to the communities where they play, the New Jersey Devils will donate tickets to the Department of Children and Families for use by children in foster care in the Atlantic City area.
The Albany Devils, who competed as the AHL’s Lowell Devils from 2006-07 through 2009-10, will call Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., home for the 2010-11 season. Albany previously served as home ice for the organization’s AHL team for 13 seasons through 2005-06. The NHL Devils originally signed a working agreement with the AHL’s Capital District franchise on May 5, 1993. In 1994-95, the organization won both the NHL Stanley Cup/AHL Calder Cup championships.
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90-million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall’s renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st-century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon its reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination’s premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows and sporting events.
